The culture in Turkey is very different from what we are used to here in the United States. Lets explore Turkey's religion, school, family structure, holidays, music, food, and sports together.
Celebration in Turkey
Religion
Everyone in Turkey has the right to choose their own religion, which means it is a secular country. The United States is a secular country as well! It is the only country that has this in their constitution and practices i among the Islamic countries.
A Muslim Church in Istanbul
99% of the people in Turkey are Muslim.
The other 1% is made up of Jews, Catholic, Orthodox Christians, Gregorian Christians, Suryani, and Protestant Christians. (enjoyturkey.com)
Sufi Whirling
In Turkey Sufi whirling is a way of worshiping, or meditating. This dance is typically done during a Sema, which is a worship ceremony. While doing this it is seen that you are losing your personal desires and just listening to music and focusing on god by spinning in continuous circles.
School
Until 1923 only boys were allowed to attend schools. Girls at this time were to learn household chores and skills. This left Turkey with only 10% literate. Primary education was then made mandatory andfree. Even universities were being made for more technical and scientific training.
Students studying outside a university in Turkey
The educational system is growing even more today. Recently Turkey extended basic education from 5 years to 8 years being free. Unlike classrooms here, there are 50 children in each room in Turkey.
In order to get into a university in Turkey you have to take 2 exams unlike here in the United States. There are only 54 universities throughout Turkey. (turizum.net)
Family Sturcture
70% of Turkish households is made up on both parents and their children
20% is full of the family plus their extended family.
A Turkish family with their extended family
By the age of 30, 93% of women in Turkey are married. The divorce rate is extremely low with only 1 out of every 1,000 marriages ending in divorce. This is extremely different than here in the United States, where divorce is more common.
In Turkey, women typically have children between the ages of 20 to 24. The average family has 2 or 3 children. Families in urban areas typically have 1 less child than families living in rural areas. In Turkey today, families would still prefer to have a son over a daughter. (family.jrank.org)
Holidays
Just like here Turkey celebrates January 1st, as the beginning of they New Year. The other 5 holidays celebrated in Turkey are different than the ones we are used to celebrating.
April 23 is National Sovereignty and Children's Day- Remembrance for the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 1920, which is dedicated to the children of Turkey.
May 1 is Labor Day also known as May Day- a day of festivities in honor of the military.
Children on Youth and Sports Day
May 19 is Youth and Sports Day- Remembering the national liberation movement dedicated to the youth.
August 30 is Victory Day- Remembering the final battle that ended the TurkishIndependent War in 1922.
October 29 is Republic Day- Remembering the proclamation of the republic in 1923. (wikipedia.com)
Music
The lute used in Folk music
Music in Turkey is extremely diverse. Classical and Turkish Folk has been genres that have been around the longest. The Folk music is usually performed with an instrument called the lute. Other popular genres in Turkey are nightclub music which is typically related to the Gypsy community. Also arabesk, which is the popular pop music along with bellydance music. (worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com) Mercan Dede a famous DJ in Turkey Food The food of Turkey is very different then what most are used to eating here. Their food is a mixture of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Balkan cuisines.
Dolma- Is a stuffed food and extremely popular in Turkish cuisine. It can be made as a meat, fruit or vegetable dish.
Kebabs- This is used for a variety of meat based dishes. This has meats grilled or skewered.
Fish- Since Turkey is surrounded by 3 different Seas, they eat a lot of dishes that contain fish. They cook fish by grilling it, frying it, or even cooking it slowly. There are a ton of different ways they season it as well.
Baklava
Baklava- This is one of the most popular and most recognized desserts of Turkish cuisine. This dish is typically made using either pistachio or walnuts. (wikipedia.com)
Sports
Fans at a Turkey Football game
The national sport of Turkey is Football. This sport though is exactly like our Soccer. Some of the well known teams names are Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Trabzonspor. The people of trukey are extremely passionate about Football and love to support and play it in their spare time. (allaboutturkey.com)
Camel Wrestling
Camel Wrestling is an interesting sport that happens in Turkey. Though it used to be all over the country, it is now just limited to the Aegean region. Two camels are in an arena and butt each other until the other one gives up and runs away. It is used as a means for bets, but is a declining sport due to the cost to feed and train the camels. (allaboutturkey.com)
Resources:
-Turkey - Family Life And Structure - Single Parent, Development, Percent, and Children - JRank Articles . (n.d.).Marriage and Family Encyclopedia - JRank Articles .Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://family.jrank.org/pages/1718/Turkey-Family-Life-Structure.htm
-Government, t. (n.d.). All About Turkey. All About Turkey. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.allaboutturkey.com
-National Geographic - Inspiring People to Care About the Planet Since 1888. (n.d.). National Geographic - Inspiring People to Care About the Planet Since 1888. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.nationalgeographic.com
-Religion in Turkey. (n.d.). Travel in Turkey, The Ultimate Travel Guide for Turkey. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.enjoyturkey.com/info/facts/religion.htm
-Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia. December 11, 2011, from http://www.wikipedia.com
-zantium. (n.d.). Education in Turkey - Schools and Children. Turkey Travel Guide. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.turizm.net/turkey/info/education.html
Culture
The culture in Turkey is very different from what we are used to here in the United States. Lets explore Turkey's religion, school, family structure, holidays, music, food, and sports together.
Religion
Everyone in Turkey has the right to choose their own religion, which means it is a secular country. The United States is a secular country as well! It is the only country that has this in their constitution and practices i among the Islamic countries.
In Turkey Sufi whirling is a way of worshiping, or meditating. This dance is typically done during a Sema, which is a worship ceremony. While doing this it is seen that you are losing your personal desires and just listening to music and focusing on god by spinning in continuous circles.
School
Until 1923 only boys were allowed to attend schools. Girls at this time were to learn household chores and skills. This left Turkey with only 10% literate. Primary education was then made mandatory andfree. Even universities were being made for more technical and scientific training.
The educational system is growing even more today. Recently Turkey extended basic education from 5 years to 8 years being free. Unlike classrooms here, there are 50 children in each room in Turkey.
In order to get into a university in Turkey you have to take 2 exams unlike here in the United States. There are only 54 universities throughout Turkey. (turizum.net)
Family Sturcture
Holidays
Just like here Turkey celebrates January 1st, as the beginning of they New Year. The other 5 holidays celebrated in Turkey are different than the ones we are used to celebrating.
War in 1922.
Music
Music in Turkey is extremely diverse. Classical and Turkish Folk has been genres that have been around the longest. The Folk music is usually performed with an instrument called the lute.
Other popular genres in Turkey are nightclub music which is typically related to the Gypsy community. Also arabesk, which is the popular pop music along with bellydance music. (worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com)
Mercan Dede a famous DJ in Turkey
Food
The food of Turkey is very different then what most are used to eating here. Their food is a mixture of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Balkan cuisines.
Sports
The national sport of Turkey is Football. This sport though is exactly like our Soccer. Some of the well known teams names are Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Trabzonspor. The people of trukey are extremely passionate about Football and love to support and play it in their spare time. (allaboutturkey.com)
Camel Wrestling is an interesting sport that happens in Turkey. Though it used to be all over the country, it is now just limited to the Aegean region. Two camels are in an arena and butt each other until the other one gives up and runs away. It is used as a means for bets, but is a declining sport due to the cost to feed and train the camels. (allaboutturkey.com)
Resources:
-Turkey - Family Life And Structure - Single Parent, Development, Percent, and Children - JRank Articles . (n.d.).Marriage and Family Encyclopedia - JRank Articles .Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://family.jrank.org/pages/1718/Turkey-Family-Life-Structure.htm
-Government, t. (n.d.). All About Turkey. All About Turkey. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.allaboutturkey.com
-National Geographic - Inspiring People to Care About the Planet Since 1888. (n.d.). National Geographic - Inspiring People to Care About the Planet Since 1888. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.nationalgeographic.com
-Religion in Turkey. (n.d.). Travel in Turkey, The Ultimate Travel Guide for Turkey. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.enjoyturkey.com/info/facts/religion.htm
-Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia. December 11, 2011, from http://www.wikipedia.com
-zantium. (n.d.). Education in Turkey - Schools and Children. Turkey Travel Guide. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.turizm.net/turkey/info/education.html
Page Created by Brittany Muszynski ©bmmuszy@gmail.comCreated on November 28,2011Last Modified on December 12, 2011